Product dispensers

ABSTRACT

There is provided herein a dispenser ( 2 ) for a product in stick form. The dispenser ( 2 ) includes a product stick carrier ( 10 ), an outer sleeve ( 6 ) and a product concealing sleeve ( 8 ). The product stick carrier ( 10 ) includes a product stick support for supporting a product stick in use. The outer sleeve ( 6 ) is disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier ( 10 ). The product stick carrier ( 10 ) is fixed relative to the outer sleeve ( 6 ). The product concealing sleeve ( 8 ) is disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve ( 6 ) and is retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve ( 6 ) for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in use in order to expose the product stick. The product concealing sleeve ( 8 ) and the outer sleeve ( 6 ) include inter-engaging flaps ( 110 A-D) which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve ( 8 ) relative to the outer sleeve ( 6 ) beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position. The outer sleeve ( 6 ), product concealing sleeve ( 8 ) and product stick carrier ( 10 ) are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to dispensers for products in stick form, for example cosmetics, lipsticks, lip balms, deodorants, adhesives and other products for topical application to a surface, for example to a person’s skin or lips. The product in stick form may be any consumer or personal care product, for example. The invention extends to an assembly comprising a dispenser in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments in combination with a product in stick form, and to a package comprising a dispenser or assembly in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments.

BACKGROUND

Stick products such as lipsticks are supplied in a number of dispensers. The most common dispensers comprise components made of plastics.

It is desirable to reduce the amount of plastic material used in the dispenser, and provide a more sustainable dispenser.

SUMMARY

From one aspect, there is provided a dispenser for a product in stick form comprising:

-   a product stick carrier comprising a product stick support for     supporting a product stick in use; -   an outer sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier,     wherein the product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer     sleeve; and -   a product concealing sleeve disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve,     the product concealing sleeve being retractable relative to the     outer sleeve from a first, fully extended position relative to the     outer sleeve for concealing a product stick supported by the product     stick support in use in order to expose the product stick;     -   wherein the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve         comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another         to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative         to the outer sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the         first, fully extended position;     -   and wherein the outer sleeve, product concealing sleeve and         product stick carrier are each formed of a paper-based or         card-based material, such as paperboard or cardboard.

In accordance with the invention in this aspect, therefore, a dispenser for a product in stick form includes a product stick carrier fixed relative to an outer sleeve, and a product concealing sleeve disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve. The product concealing sleeve is retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve in order to expose a product stick supported by the product stick support in use. Inter-engaging flaps associated with the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The inter-engagement of the flaps prevents the product concealing sleeve from being detached from the dispenser. The inter-engagement of the flaps prevents the product concealing sleeve from being fully removed from inside the outer sleeve. The arrangement of the present invention provides a particularly effective paper or card-based dispenser arrangement. The arrangement provides a dispenser which may be more readily manufactured from card or paper-based materials, and which may function reliably on repeated occasions to expose and cover a product in stick form.

For brevity, in any of the aspects or embodiment of the invention, the product concealing sleeve may be referred to as the “concealing sleeve” and the product stick carrier as the “carrier” herein.

It will be appreciated that the outer sleeve is a (radially) outer sleeve relative to the product concealing sleeve and product stick carrier. It may define at least a part of an outermost surface of the dispenser. However, arrangements in which additional component(s) are present radially outward of the outer sleeve are not excluded.

The product stick is arranged radially inwardly of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve in use, and projects beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve. Thus the product stick projects upwardly from the outer sleeve. The product concealing sleeve may be retracted or advanced (e.g. lowered or raised) within the outer sleeve to expose or cover the product stick. The product stick is supported by the product support of the product stick carrier in use.

The product stick will project beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve and a distal end of the product stick carrier in all operative states of the dispenser. The product stick extends in the above mentioned manner at least when an assembly including the dispenser and product stick is produced and prior to depletion of the product stick. The length of the product stick which is exposed will depend upon the position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. Retraction e.g. lowering of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve will expose an increasingly greater portion of a length of the product stick while advancement e.g. raising of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve will cover an increasingly greater portion of a length of the product stick.

The product stick remains static and is selectively exposed by movement of the product concealing sleeve of the dispenser. The outer sleeve also remains static with the product concealing sleeve moving between extended and retracted positions relative thereto.

Where a product stick is present in the dispenser, the product stick may be arranged in the above described manner. In those aspects and embodiments of the invention relating to a dispenser not necessarily in combination with a product stick, the dispenser is configured such that, when located therein in use, a product stick may be arranged in any of the above described manners.

The dispenser defines a longitudinal axis. This define an axial direction with respect to the dispenser and its components. The outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve, and, where provided, product stick, each define a respective longitudinal axis. The outer sleeve, product concealing sleeve and, where provided, product stick are each elongate. The product stick carrier may also define a longitudinal axis and may be elongate. The outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve, and, where provided, product stick, share the same longitudinal axis in the dispenser i.e. they are concentric. The product stick carrier may also share the same longitudinal axis. The dispenser (and the product stick carrier, outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve, and, where provided, product stick) each define a transverse direction. The product stick carrier (and, where provided, product stick) may be fixed to the outer sleeve so as to be centred in the transverse directions with respect to the outer sleeve.

The outer sleeve is disposed radially outwardly of the product stick carrier. The product concealing sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the outer sleeve.

In accordance with the invention, the product concealing sleeve may be disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve. The product concealing sleeve is disposed radially outward of the product stick carrier, radially between the product stick carrier and outer sleeve. The inter-engagement of the flaps may retain the product concealing sleeve between the product stick carrier and outer sleeve.

The product stick carrier preferably comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and sidewalls connecting the proximal and distal ends thereof. The product stick carrier may be elongate. The sidewalls extend along an axial direction of the product stick carrier and dispenser. The product stick carrier may comprise one or more, and preferably a plurality of sidewalls.

In some embodiments, the product concealing sleeve, product stick carrier and outer sleeve each comprise a plurality of sidewalls, and each sidewall of the product concealing sleeve is located between a sidewall of the product stick carrier and a sidewall of the outer sleeve.

The product concealing sleeve may be disposed directly (radially) outwardly of the product stick carrier. The outer sleeve may be disposed directly outwardly of the product concealing sleeve.

The product concealing sleeve may be retractable relative to the outer sleeve from the first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve toward a second, fully retracted position for exposing the product stick in use. The concealing sleeve is retractable from the first, fully extended position to the second, fully retracted position. The second, fully retracted position is a set point, which, in embodiments, may, like the first fully retracted position, be defined by the action of inter-engaging flaps, as described below.

The product concealing sleeve is freely movable between the first, fully extended and second, fully retracted positions for exposing and covering the product stick in use. Thus the concealing sleeve may be retracted and advanced to expose and cover the product stick respectively. The concealing sleeve is mounted for reciprocating movement between the first, fully extended and second, fully retracted positions relative to the outer sleeve. The first, fully extended position is a predefined, set position determined by the action of the inter-engaging flaps. The second, fully retracted position is also a predefined, set position. The product concealing sleeve may have a predetermined range of travel relative to the outer sleeve (and, in embodiments, product stick support), defined between the set positions corresponding to the first, fully extended and second, fully retracted positions.

The product concealing sleeve is, in any of the embodiments of the invention, movable manually by a user. Thus, the product concealing sleeve is retracted or advanced by a user between the first, fully extended and second, fully retracted positons.

The product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve so that neither rotational nor sliding movement of the product stick carrier relative to the outer sleeve is possible. Thus, movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve will correspond to movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the product stick carrier. The product concealing sleeve is thus retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve and the product stick carrier for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in order to expose a product stick supported by the product stick support of the product stick carrier in use. The product concealing sleeve may be retractable from the first, fully extended position to a second fully retracted position relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier in order to expose the product stick.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, a distal end of the product concealing sleeve may extend beyond a distal end of the outer sleeve when the product concealing sleeve is in the second, fully retracted position. This may enable the user to more easily grasp the product concealing sleeve in order to advance the product concealing sleeve when it is desired to advance the product concealing sleeve toward the first, fully extended position once more. The distal end of the product concealing sleeve may additionally extend beyond a distal end of the product stick carrier when the product concealing sleeve is in the second, fully retracted position.

The product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve. A distal end of the product stick carrier may project beyond a distal end of the outer sleeve. The distal end of the product stick carrier will then project beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve in all operative conditions of the dispenser.

A proximal portion of the product concealing sleeve may slide within the outer sleeve as the product concealing sleeve is retracted and advanced relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier.

The product concealing sleeve may be slidably disposed between the outer sleeve and product stick carrier. A proximal portion of the product concealing sleeve may slide between the outer sleeve and product stick carrier as the product concealing sleeve is retracted and advanced relative to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier.

The product concealing sleeve is slidable relative to the outer sleeve (and product stick carrier). The product concealing sleeve is preferably rotationally fixed with respect to the outer sleeve and product stick carrier. Thus, movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the product stick carrier and outer sleeve preferably occurs without rotation.

The product concealing sleeve is snugly received in the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier may be snugly received within the product concealing sleeve.

The dispenser is multi-sided. The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier are each multi sided, and may each comprise three or more sides. The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may have the same number of sides.

However, it is envisaged that the product concealing sleeve may have a lesser number of sides than the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier may, where it comprises sidewalls, have the same number of sides as the outer sleeve, although it is envisaged that it may comprise fewer. Each component may have the same number of sides.

The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier, each comprise sidewalls, and may each include three or more sidewalls. For example, each component may have any one of 3, 4, 5 or 6 sidewalls. The most appropriate number of sides may depending upon the desired properties of a given dispenser. Each component may comprise at least one, and optionally a plurality of pairs of opposed sidewalls.

In some embodiments, the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve each comprise four sidewalls.

The dispenser is preferably of non-circular cross section i.e. transverse cross section. The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally product stick carrier may each be of non-circular cross section. The dispenser may define any desired shape in transverse cross-section. For example, the dispenser may be square or rectangular in transverse-cross section.

The product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may each be of the same cross sectional shape. However, it is envisaged that, depending upon the configuration of the product stick carrier, the product stick carrier may be of a different shape. In some embodiments, each of the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve is of square or rectangular transverse cross-section.

As discussed above, the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to limit the travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond the first, fully extended position. The inter-engaging flaps may cooperate with one another to retain the product concealing sleeve between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve.

The first, fully extended position is a position set by the action of the inter-engaging flaps. The term “fully extended” as used herein in reference to the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments refers to a position that corresponds to the maximum available travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in the direction so as to advance the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The extent to which the product concealing sleeve projects beyond the outer sleeve may vary depending upon factors such as the intended use of the dispenser, the type and dimensions of the product stick with which it is to be used etc. Likewise, the term “fully retracted” as used herein in reference to the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments refers to a position that corresponds to the maximum available travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in the direction so as to retract the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in the second, fully retracted position may vary depending upon factors such as the intended use of the dispenser, the type and dimensions of the product stick with which it is to be used etc.

One or more pair of inter-engaging flaps may be provided. For example, from 1-4 such pairs of inter-engaging flaps may be provided. Regardless of the number of pairs of inter-engaging flaps, each pair of flaps may be associated with a respective pair of adjacent sidewalls of the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve. The adjacent sidewalls are radially adjacent. Each one of the inter-engaging flaps in the pair of flaps is associated with one of the respective pair of adjacent sidewalls of the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve. Where multiple pairs of inter-engaging flaps are provided, they are associated with different pairs of adjacent sidewalls. In some embodiments fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps are provided than a number of pairs of adjacent product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve sidewalls. For example, one or two fewer pairs may be provided. Providing fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps may facilitate sliding of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. Conversely, providing a greater number of inter-engaging flaps may facilitate obtaining secure engagement between the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve.

In the context of a four sided outer sleeve, for example, one, two or three pairs of inter-engaging flaps may be provided, each associated with a different adjacent pair of sidewalls of the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve.

Regardless of how many pairs of inter-engaging flaps are provided, each pair of inter-engaging flaps comprises a flap associated with the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve and a flap associated with the distal end of the outer sleeve. The flaps may be connected along respective foldlines to a sidewall of the product concealing sleeve or outer sleeve as appropriate at an end thereof.

In embodiments, the inter-engaging flaps comprise at least one pair of inter-engaging flaps, each pair of inter-engaging flaps comprising a locking flap at the distal end of the outer sleeve and an engagement flap at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve, wherein:

-   the locking flap is folded inwardly at the distal end of the outer     sleeve so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer     sleeve toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve; and -   the engagement flap is folded outwardly at the proximal end of the     product concealing sleeve so as to extend along the exterior surface     of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end of the     product concealing sleeve.

The locking flap and engagement flap of each pair of inter-engaging flaps may be associated respectively with adjacent sidewalls of the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve. The adjacent sidewalls are radially adjacent sidewalls.

Each locking flap may be connected along a foldline to a respective sidewall of the outer sleeve at the distal end of the outer sleeve. Each engagement flap may be connected along a foldline to a respective sidewall of the product concealing sleeve at the proximal end thereof.

Each locking flap and each engagement flap may comprise a first end and a second end. The first and second ends may be referred to as proximal and distal ends respectively. The locking flap may be connected at the first end of the flap along a foldline to the distal end of the outer sleeve and the engagement flap may be connected at the first end of the flap along a foldline to the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve.

In each pair of inter-engaging flaps, an end edge of the engagement flap may be configured to engage an end edge of the locking flap to prevent further movement of the concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end of the outer sleeve to define the first, fully extended position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The end edges of the locking flap and engagement flap which engage one another are edges at the second (or distal) ends of the flaps. These are the free end edges of the flaps.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the flaps, i.e. the lengths thereof, may be used to define how far the product concealing sleeve extends beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve in the first, fully extended position. The range of travel may vary widely depending upon the desired properties of the dispenser, such as the desired strength and stability properties thereof, the nature and configuration of product stick with which it is to be used etc. In some exemplary embodiments, and by way of example only and not limitation, each locking flap extends a distance of at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 15% or at least 20% of a length of the outer sleeve from the distal end of the outer sleeve toward the proximal end thereof. Alternatively or additionally, and by way of example only and not limitation, each locking flap may extend a distance of no more than 60%, or no more than 40%, or no more than 30% of a length of the outer sleeve from the distal end of the outer sleeve toward the proximal end thereof. Alternatively or additionally, and by way of example only and not limitation, each engagement flap may extend a distance of at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 15% of a length of the product concealing sleeve from the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end thereof. Alternatively or additionally, and by way of example only and not limitation, each engagement flap may extend a distance of no more than 50% or no more than 30% or no more than 25% of a length of the product concealing sleeve from the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end thereof.

The product concealing sleeve may have a proximal portion which, in the fully extended position, does not extend beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve. In embodiments in which the end edges of the locking and engagement flaps engage one another, the proximal portion may have a length corresponding to a total length of the locking and engagement flaps.

Each locking flap of the outer sleeve may or may not be bonded to an interior surface of the outer sleeve e.g. to an interior surface of a respective outer sleeve sidewall with which the locking flap is associated. Each engagement flap of the product concealing sleeve may or may not be bonded to the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve. Whether or not the locking and/or engagement flaps are bonded down may depend upon the intended properties of the dispenser, e.g. size, shape and stability, and the method of manufacture etc. Any combination of bonded and unbonded locking and engagement flaps may be used. Embodiments in which the engagement flaps are bonded down may provide a more rigid and stable device, and may also aid assembly where the product concealing sleeve is pushed into the outer sleeve during manufacture i.e. where the outer sleeve receives the product concealing sleeve. In this context, it has been found that there may be no need to bond down the locking flaps on the outer sleeve, since the product concealing sleeve will be pushed past the locking flaps in the direction of folding of the locking flaps. Of course, depending upon the method of assembly, it may be more appropriate to alternatively or additionally bond down the locking flaps. In some embodiments at least one of the locking flap(s) and engagement flap(s) are bonded down to the interior surface of the outer sleeve or the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve as appropriate.

It is envisaged that in some arrangements, the locking flaps may, rather than engaging end to end with the engagement flaps, slide underneath the engagement flaps so the end edge of a locking flap engages with the foldline that connects the engagement flap to a product concealing sleeve sidewall. The locking flaps and engagement flaps will then be unbonded to the interior of the outer sleeve and the exterior of the product concealing sleeve respectively.

In the dispenser, the locking flaps and engagement flaps are located between the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve sidewalls.

The outer sleeve may comprise at least one fewer locking flaps than sidewalls of the outer sleeve.

As mentioned above, the outer sleeve may comprise a plurality of outer sleeve sidewalls, such as four sidewalls. The sidewalls may comprise at least one pair of opposed sidewalls, and may comprise two pairs of opposed sidewalls. For example, the outer sleeve may comprise first, second, third and fourth outer sleeve sidewalls. The sidewalls are connected to one another along foldlines along the side edges thereof. Each sidewall may be connected to an adjacent sidewall along a foldline to define a closed sided configuration of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve may include an assembly flap attached to one of the outer sleeve sidewalls (e.g. a fourth outer sleeve sidewall) along a foldline at a side edge of the outer sleeve sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded surface-to-surface to a one of the outer sleeve sidewalls adjacent the one of the outer sleeve sidewalls to which the assembly flap is attached along a foldline, e.g. to the first outer sleeve sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded to a surface of said outer sleeve sidewall. The bonding may be direct bonding or indirect bonding e.g. over a region in which an intermediate flap is present. In any of the embodiments including an assembly flap, the assembly flap may be a glue flap.

In some embodiments, the outer sleeve sidewall to which the assembly flap is bonded comprises a side flap connected along a foldline to a free side edge thereof. The side flap is bonded to an interior of the sidewall. The side flap avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the sidewall and may act to reinforce the sidewall, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer. This may facilitate manufacture and improve appearance. The free side edge refers to the side edge of the sidewall which is not connected along a foldline to an adjacent sidewall. The side flap is sandwiched between the assembly flap and the sidewall to which the assembly flap is bonded. The side flap extends over only a portion of the area of the sidewall to which it is bonded. The side flap may be trapezoidal. However, it will be understood that the use of a side flap is only optional. For example, depending upon factors such as a basis weight of the sheet material used to provide the outer sleeve, a desire to minimise material used, or the extent to which it is desired to avoid visible cut edges, a side flap may or may not be used.

Where locking flaps are associated with less than all of the sidewalls of the outer sleeve, an end flap may optionally be associated with the distal end of any other one(s) of the sidewalls. The end flap may be connected along a foldline to the distal end of the sidewall and folded inwardly so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve in the same way as the locking flaps. The end flap may be bonded to the interior surface of the outer sleeve sidewall. However, no engagement flap is provided to engage with the end flap. The end flap acts to avoid the presence of a visible cut edge at the distal end of the sidewall with which it is associated and may reinforce the distal end of the outer sleeve in the same manner as do the locking flaps, such that the locking flap(s) and end flap(s) together provide the distal end of each sidewall with a multi-ply construction. Where a side flap is also associated with an outer sleeve sidewall along a free side edge of one of the sidewalls thereof as described above, the side and end flaps may have complimentary shapes to avoid the side and end flaps from overlapping one another. However, it will be appreciated that, for example, where the presence of a visible cut edge is of less concern, or where it is desired to use a lesser amount of material, the end flaps may be omitted.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the outer sleeve may comprise one or more stopper flaps at the proximal end of the outer sleeve, each stopper flap being folded inwardly so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve from the proximal end of the outer sleeve toward the distal end of the outer sleeve, wherein each stopper flap is configured to engage a proximal end of the product concealing sleeve to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve to define a second, fully retracted position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. An end edge of the stopper flap may engage the proximal end of the concealing sleeve. Any suitable number of stopper flaps may be used, and there may be fewer stopper flaps than sidewalls of the outer sleeve and/or product concealing sleeve e.g. at least one, such as one or two fewer.

The stopper flaps may or may not be bonded to the interior surface of the outer sleeve. As described in relation to the locking and engagement flaps, whether or not the stopper flaps are bonded down may depend upon factors such as the intended shape, size and stability of the dispenser, and the method of manufacture. In some embodiments the stopper flaps are bonded to the interior surface of the outer sleeve.

Each stopper flap (e.g. an end edge thereof) is thus configured to engage the proximal end of the concealing sleeve when the concealing sleeve is in the second, fully retracted position to limit the travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond the second, fully retracted position.

The extent of possible travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve may be defined by a distance between the opposed end edges of locking flaps associated with the distal end of the outer sleeve and stopper flaps associated with the proximal end thereof.

The length of a stopper flap may be chosen as desired to control the distance by which the product concealing sleeve extends relative to the outer sleeve and/or product stick carrier when in a fully retracted position. For example, by way of example only and not by limitation, the stopper flap may extend a distance of at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 15% of the length of the outer sleeve from the proximal end of the outer sleeve toward the distal end thereof. Alternatively or additionally, and by way of example only, and not limitation, the stopper flap may extend a distance of less than 50% or no more than 40% or less than 30% or less than 25% of a length of the outer sleeve from the proximal end toward the distal end thereof.

In embodiments in which the product concealing sleeve comprises one or more outwardly folded engagement flaps at the proximal end thereof, each engagement flap being connected along a foldline to a proximal end of a sidewall of the product concealing sleeve, the stopper flap may engage the foldline at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve connecting a respective one of said one or more engagement flaps to the sidewall. Thus, in these embodiments, the engagement flaps may be used in defining both the first, fully extended, and second, fully retracted positions of the product concealing sleeve. The use of stopper flaps is advantageous, but other methods may be used to define the fully retracted position. For example, the base of the product concealing sleeve might simply abut a base of the outer sleeve. It will also be understood that stopper flaps need not be used, or need not only be used, in conjunction with sidewalls of the outer sleeve adjacent sidewalls of the product concealing sleeve that are also associated with engagement flaps. Where an end flap that does not provide an engagement flap is provided at the proximal end of a sidewall of the product concealing sleeve, the stopper flap may engage a foldline connecting the end flap to the sidewall of the product concealing sleeve.

Regardless of its construction, the outer sleeve may be closed at a proximal end of the outer sleeve. This may provide a closed base to the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve may comprise a base panel closing a proximal end of the outer sleeve. Any suitable arrangement may be used to secure the base panel in position. For example, a set of one or more flaps may be associated with the base panel, each being joined to an edge of the base panel along a respective foldline. Each flap may be tucked into a space between the outer sleeve and the product stick carrier to retain the base panel in position closing the proximal end of the outer sleeve. For example, from 1-3 such flaps may be provided. The use of such flaps may help to secure the base panel in place, and may help to provide a more secure base panel to which the product stick carrier may be affixed, in certain embodiments at least. At least some of the one or more flaps may be bonded to the interior of a respective sidewall of the outer sleeve at the proximal end thereof. One or more of the flaps may additionally be bonded to the exterior of the product stick carrier to aid in fixing the outer sleeve to the product stick carrier. However, such arrangements are merely exemplary, and any suitable method of closing the base of the outer sleeve, and where appropriate, securing a base panel thereof, may be used.

Where the outer sleeve comprises a base panel, the base panel may be attached to a proximal end of a panel of the outer sleeve. The panel may be a panel forming part of a sidewall of the outer sleeve, or, where provided, an assembly flap. In embodiments in which the outer sleeve comprises an assembly flap, the base panel may be attached to a proximal end of the assembly flap along a foldline. However, any suitable arrangement may be used.

The product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier may be fixed directly or indirectly to the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier may be fixed to the outer sleeve in any manner which does not impede the intended movement of the product concealing sleeve. In embodiments the product stick is fixed e.g. bonded to a base of the outer sleeve. A base of the product stick carrier may be fixed to a base of the outer sleeve. The product stick carrier may be fixed to the outer sleeve only through bonding of the product stick carrier to a base of the outer sleeve. This may permit the product concealing sleeve to move freely relative to the outer sleeve (and product stick carrier) between fully extended and fully retracted positions. The product carrier may be bonded to the outer sleeve so as to be centred in the transverse direction with respect to the outer sleeve.

In embodiments in which the outer sleeve comprises a base panel closing a proximal end of the outer sleeve, the product carrier may be bonded to the base panel to fix the product stick carrier to the outer sleeve. The product carrier may be bonded to the outer sleeve only via the base panel of the outer sleeve or may additionally be bonded to one or more base flaps associated with the base panel of the outer sleeve, where provided. Thus, in fixing the base of the product stick carrier to the base of the outer sleeve, bonding may be present between the proximal ends of the sidewalls of the product stick carrier and outer sleeve and/or between base panels at the proximal ends of the product stick carrier and outer sleeve.

In any of the embodiments of the invention, the product concealing sleeve may comprise a plurality of product concealing sleeve sidewalls, such as three or four sidewalls. The product concealing sleeve may comprise at least one pair, e.g. two pairs of opposed sidewalls. For example, the product concealing sleeve may comprise first, second, third and optionally fourth product concealing sleeve sidewalls. The sidewalls are connected to one another along foldlines along the side edges thereof. The product concealing sleeve may, where it defines a closed sided configuration, include an assembly flap attached to one of the outer sleeve sidewalls (e.g. a fourth product concealing sleeve sidewall) along a foldline at a side edge of the product concealing sleeve sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded surface-to-surface to a one of the product concealing sleeve sidewalls adjacent the one of the product concealing sleeve sidewalls to which the assembly flap is connected along a foldline, e.g. to the first product concealing sleeve sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded to a surface of said product concealing sleeve sidewall. The bonding may be direct or indirect bonding (e.g. where an intervening side flap of the product concealing sleeve is present).

The product concealing sleeve sidewall to which the assembly flap is bonded may optionally comprise a side flap along a free side edge thereof. The free edge is the side edge which is not connected along a foldline to an adjacent sidewall of the product concealing sleeve. The assembly flap may be bonded to the side flap of the sidewall, with the side flap sandwiched between the sidewall and the assembly flap. In some embodiments the side flap and assembly flap are both trapezoidal. The side flap may extend over only a portion of the area of the sidewall. In some embodiments, the assembly flap extends only over the portion of the sidewall in which the side flap is present. The presence of a side flap may act to avoid a visible cut edge and may enhance the strength of the product concealing sleeve. However, where such considerations are of lesser importance, the use of a side flap may be omitted.

Regardless of the construction of the product concealing sleeve, in some embodiments the product concealing sleeve comprises a plurality of end flaps attached to the distal ends of at least some of the product concealing sleeve sidewalls, and optionally to a distal end of each one of the sidewalls. Each end flap may be connected to its respective sidewall along a foldline. Each end flap is folded inwardly and extends along an interior surface of the sidewall with which it is associated toward the proximal end of the concealing sleeve. Each end flap may be bonded to the inner surface of the respective concealing sleeve sidewall with which it is associated.

Each end flap preferably has a length less than a length of the sidewall of the product concealing sleeve with which it is associated. In some embodiments, each end flap has a length at least as great as a length of a portion of the product concealing sleeve that extends beyond the distal end of the product stick carrier when the concealing sleeve is in the first, fully extended position relative to the product stick carrier. The end flaps may avoid a visible cut edge at the distal end of the sidewalls with which they are associated and may provide an additional layer in a distal portion of the concealing sleeve, reinforcing the part of the product concealing sleeve which protrudes relative to the product stick carrier. The use of such end flaps is optional, and such flaps may or may not be provided, depending upon the intended properties of the dispenser, and the extent to which the presence of cut edges etc. is of importance.

Where side flap is associated with a side edge of one of the sidewalls of the product concealing sleeve, an end flap associated with a distal end of the sidewall may have a complimentary shape to the side flap such that the side and end flaps do not overlap. This may avoid creating a regions of excessive thickness in the product concealing sleeve.

As mentioned above, the product concealing sleeve includes one or more engagement flaps at the proximal end thereof, which each form part of a pair of inter-engaging flaps with corresponding set of one or more locking flaps of the outer sleeve. For example, from 1-4 engagement flaps may be provided. In some embodiments, the product concealing sleeve includes at least one fewer engagement flaps than the number of product concealing sleeve sidewalls, such as one or two fewer, or even more, depending upon the number of product concealing sleeve sidewalls. This may facilitate sliding of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.

The product stick carrier may be of any suitable form. In a simple embodiment, the product stick carrier might be in the form of a planar piece of material fixed relative to the outer sleeve and to which the base of a product stick may be bonded in use. The product stick carrier might then secured e.g. bonded to the base of the outer sleeve. In other embodiments, the product stick carrier might be an annular member arranged to receive the base of a product stick. However, preferably the product stick carrier comprises proximal and distal ends connected by one or more sidewalls as described above.

While the invention is described in relation to the case in which the product stick carrier is of paper or card-based material, it is envisaged that, in other embodiments, it could be made of other materials. However, for sustainability benefits, the product stick carrier is preferably of paper or card-based material.

The product stick carrier comprises a product stick support.

The product stick carrier may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, the distal portion comprising the product stick support. The product stick support may be spaced from a proximal end of the product stick carrier e.g. by sidewalls of the product stick support. This may raise up the product stick away from the base of the dispenser, allowing fuller use of the product stick.

The product stick support may comprise a platform for supporting the base of a product stick. The product stick support preferably additionally provides support to the sides of a base of a product stick. The platform may be recessed from the distal end of the product stick support. The platform may be a continuous platform. The platform may close a distal end of the product stick support.

Preferably the product stick carrier comprises a plurality of sidewalls. The product stick carrier may comprise the same number of sidewalls as the outer sleeve.

Preferably the product concealing sleeve slides over the product stick carrier as it retracts from the first, fully extended position. The product concealing sleeve may slide over the product stick carrier as it moves between first, fully extended and second, fully retracted positions. Sidewalls of the product concealing sleeve may slide over adjacent sidewalls of the product stick carrier.

In preferred embodiments the product stick support comprises a cradle portion. The cradle portion may comprise a first pair of opposed flaps, each one of the opposed flaps being attached, at a proximal end of the flap, to a distal end of a respective one of a first pair of opposed sidewalls of the product stick carrier along a foldline. Each flap of the first pair of opposed flaps includes a proximal portion extending from the distal end of the carrier sidewall with which it is associated along the interior surface thereof toward the proximal end of the product stick carrier sidewall. The flaps are thus folded inwardly. The proximal portion of the flap may be bonded to the interior surface of the product stick carrier sidewall. Each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps further comprises a distal portion connected along a foldline to the proximal portion of the flap, the distal portion of the flap extending across the interior of the product stick carrier from the product stick carrier sidewall to which the flap is attached along a foldline toward the opposed product stick carrier sidewall. The distal portions of the pair of opposed flaps are bonded to each other in a face-to-face relationship to create a support for the product in stick form. The distal portions of the pair of opposed flaps may extend across the entire width of the product stick carrier. This may close the end of the product stick carrier.

The cradle portion provides a platform for supporting the base of a product stick recessed from the distal end of the product stick carrier by the distance defined by the proximal portions of the first pair of opposed flaps. The cradle portion is provided at a distal portion of the product stick carrier.

The product stick carrier may optionally include a second opposed pair of flaps attached to the distal end of a second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls. The second opposed pair of flaps may be bonded to the interior surface of the second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls. The flaps are thus folded inwardly. These flaps may act to avoid a visible cut edge at the distal end of the sidewalls of the carrier, and may also reinforce the distal ends of the walls which are not associated with the first opposed pair of flaps. The proximal portions of the first pair of flaps may reinforce the distal ends of the sidewalls with which they are associated and the presence of the first pair of flaps will also avoid a cut edge at the distal end of the sidewalls with which they are associated. Each one of the second opposed pair of flaps may have a length at least as long as the proximal portions of the first opposed pair of flaps. In some embodiments, each sidewall which is not associated with one of the first opposed pair of flaps may be associated with a flap attached to a distal end thereof and extending along the interior of the sidewall toward the proximal end of the product stick carrier. The end flap may be bonded to the interior of the sidewall. Each flap may have a length at least as long as the proximal portions of the first opposed pair of flaps.

In any of the embodiments of the invention, the product stick carrier may comprise a plurality of product stick carrier sidewalls, such as four sidewalls. The product stick carrier may comprise at least one pair, such as two pairs of opposed sidewalls. For example, the product stick carrier may comprise first, second, third and fourth product stick carrier sidewalls. The sidewalls are connected to one another along foldlines along the side edges thereof. The product stick carrier may define a closed sided configuration. The product stick carrier may include an assembly flap attached to one of the outer sleeve sidewalls (e.g. a fourth product stick carrier sidewall) along a foldline at a side edge of the product stick carrier sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded surface-to-surface to a one of the product stick carrier sidewalls adjacent the one of the product stick carrier sidewalls to which the assembly flap is connected along a foldline, e.g. to the first product stick carrier sidewall. The assembly flap is bonded to a surface of said product stick carrier sidewall. The bonding may be direct or indirect bonding (e.g. where an intervening end flap is present). An end flap associated with the distal end of the sidewall to which the assembly flap is bonded may be sandwiched between the sidewall and the assembly flap.

The product stick carrier may comprise a closed base. The product stick carrier may comprise a base panel closing the base thereof. One or more base flaps may be provided underlying the base panel. The base panel may be bonded to a base panel of the outer sleeve.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the product stick carrier may have a length of at least 50% of a length of the outer sleeve, or at least 75% of the length of the outer sleeve, and preferably has a length greater than a length of the outer sleeve. Alternatively or additionally, the product stick carrier may have a length of at least 50% of a length of the outer sleeve, or at least 75% of the length of the outer sleeve, and preferably has a length greater than that of the product concealing sleeve. The above ranges are merely by way of example and not by limitation.

In some exemplary embodiments the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may be of the same or similar length.

In some further aspects and embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that a product carrier may be omitted, and a product stick may, for example, be bonded directly to the outer sleeve e.g. to the base thereof. The use of inter-engaging flaps associated with a product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve of the dispenser in such arrangements, which do not necessarily include a product stick carrier, is advantageous in its own right.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly comprising a dispenser for a product in stick form and a product in stick form located therein;

-   wherein the dispenser comprises; -   an outer sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick, wherein the     product stick is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and -   a product concealing sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick     between the product stick and the outer sleeve, the product     concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended     position relative to the outer sleeve for concealing the product     stick in use in order to expose the product stick; -   wherein the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise     inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to prevent     advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer     sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended     position; -   and wherein the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve are each     formed of a paper-based or card-based material, such as paperboard     or cardboard.

The present invention in this further aspect may include any or all of the features described in the earlier aspects or embodiments of the invention, to the extent they are not mutually exclusive.

In particular, the construction of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and the way in which they cooperate with one another, may be in accordance with any of the previously described embodiments. The inter-engagement of the flaps to define the first, fully extended position may function in the same manner as in the earlier embodiments. The product concealing sleeve may be movable between a first, fully extended and second, fully retracted position as previously described. Any of the ranges of extent of the flaps or of movement of the product concealing sleeve are equally applicable to these further aspects and embodiments.

The product stick may be fixed in any desired manner to the outer sleeve, and may be fixed directly or indirectly thereto. For example, a base of the product stick may be secured e.g. bonded to the base of the outer sleeve i.e. to an interior of the base of the outer sleeve.

The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may each comprise three or more sidewalls, such as four sidewalls. The product concealing sleeve may have the same number of sidewalls as the outer sleeve. Where no product stick carrier is provided between the product concealing sleeve and product stick, this may help to guide the product concealing sleeve.

The product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may each be formed from a respective blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material.

Each of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve may be of square or rectangular transverse cross-section.

The inter-engaging flaps of the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve may comprise at least one pair of inter-engaging flaps, each pair of inter-engaging flaps comprising a locking flap at the distal end of the outer sleeve and an engagement flap at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve, wherein:

-   the locking flap is folded inwardly at the distal end of the outer     sleeve so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer     sleeve toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve; and -   the engagement flap is folded outwardly at the proximal end of the     product concealing sleeve so as to extend along the exterior surface     of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end of the     concealing sleeve.

In each pair of inter-engaging flaps, an end edge of the locking flap may be configured to engage an end edge of the engagement flap to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end of the outer sleeve to define the first, fully extended position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. As discussed in respect of the earlier aspects of the invention, either one or both of the engagement and locking flaps may be bonded down or left unbonded.

The outer sleeve may comprise one or more stopper flaps at the proximal end of the outer sleeve, each stopper flap being folded inwardly so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve from the proximal end of the outer sleeve toward the distal end of the outer sleeve, wherein each stopper flap is configured to engage a proximal end of the product concealing sleeve to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a set point in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve so as to define a second, fully retracted position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The stopper flap may engage a foldline at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve connecting a respective one of said one or more engagement flaps to the sidewall.

In this further aspect in any of its embodiments, the dispenser may further comprise a product stick carrier comprising a product stick support for supporting the product stick, the product stick carrier being disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve and being formed of a paper-based or card-based material; optionally wherein the product concealing sleeve is disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve; and/or wherein the product stick carrier has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising the product stick support.

The product stick support may comprise a cradle portion, wherein the cradle portion comprises:

-   a first opposed pair of flaps, each one of the opposed flaps being     attached, at a proximal end of the flap, to a distal end of a     respective one of a first pair of opposed sidewalls of the product     stick carrier along a foldline; -   wherein each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps includes a     proximal portion extending from the distal end of the carrier     sidewall with which it is associated along the interior surface     thereof toward the proximal end of the product stick carrier     sidewall, the proximal portion of the flap optionally being bonded     to the interior surface of the product stick carrier sidewall; -   each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps further comprising a     distal portion connected along a foldline to the proximal portion of     the flap, the distal portion of the flap extending across the     interior of the product stick carrier from the carrier sidewall to     which the flap is attached along a foldline toward the opposed     carrier sidewall; -   wherein the distal portions of the opposed pair of flaps are bonded     to each other in a face-to-face relationship to create a support for     the product in stick form.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve, and, where provided, product stick carrier, together define a base part of the dispenser. The dispenser may further comprise a removable cap for closing an open end of the base part.

The removable cap is configured to be located over the product concealing sleeve, when the product concealing sleeve is in the first, fully extended position. The removable cap covers a portion of the product concealing sleeve which extends beyond a distal end of the outer sleeve when in the first, fully extended position.

In some embodiments, a proximal end of the removable cap is configured to abut a distal end of the outer sleeve when the cap is located on the base part of the dispenser with the product concealing sleeve in the first, fully extended position.

The external surfaces of the outer sleeve and of the cap may be flush with one another when the cap is located on the base part of the dispenser with the product concealing sleeve in the fully extended position.

The cap may be of any suitable construction. In some embodiments, the cap includes a plurality of cap sidewalls attached to one another along axial sides thereof along foldlines. The sidewalls may comprise a plurality of pairs of opposed sidewalls e.g. two pairs of opposed sidewalls. For example, the cap may include first, second, third and fourth cap sidewalls. The cap may include an assembly flap attached to one of the cap sidewalls e.g. a fourth cap sidewall along a foldline at a side edge of the sidewall. The assembly flap may be bonded surface-to-surface to one of the cap sidewalls e.g. the first cap sidewall. This retains the cap in a closed sided configuration. The assembly flap may be a glue flap.

The cap may include a lid panel. A lid panel may be attached to a distal end of the assembly flap along a foldline. The cap may also include a plurality of lid flaps attached to the lid panel along foldlines at side edges of the lid panel. The lid flaps may be bonded face-to-face to respective ones of the cap sidewalls on interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls.

The cap may include a plurality of distal end flaps, each attached to the distal end of a respective one of the cap sidewalls along a respective foldline. The cap may also include a plurality of proximal end flaps, each attached to the proximal end of a respective one of the cap sidewalls along a respective foldline. In the erected cap, the proximal and distal end flaps are folded inwardly and bonded to the interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls.

The cap may include a side flap attached to a side edge of a first cap sidewall along a foldline. The side flap, in the erected cap is folded inwardly and bonded to the interior surface of the first cap sidewall. The side flap may be trapezoidal. Where side and distal end flaps area associated with a given sidewall e.g. a first sidewall of the cap, they may be of complimentary shapes to avoid creating excessive thickness in that region of the cap.

It will be appreciated that the use of end flaps or side flaps associated with the cap is optional. Such flaps may help to avoid a visible cut edge where there this is of concern, and may enhance the strength of the cap. However, in other contexts e.g. where it is desired to minimise the amount of material used, and strength/appearance factors are less important, some or all of the flaps may be omitted.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the product stick may be a stick of any product that may be provided in stick form. The product stick is a stick of solid material. The product may be any consumer product. The product may be a personal care product, such as a cosmetic product, skin care product, hair care product, or toothcare product, but is not limited thereto. A personal care product includes any product used in grooming or dressing, as well as products used at other times, and may include products for providing a medicinal benefit. The product is not limited to personal care product, and may be any type of consumer product that is provided in stick form, such as a stick of adhesive, or paint. The product stick may be selected from any one of; a stick of cosmetic, lipstick, lip balm, deodorant, adhesive product or of any product for topical application to a surface, for example to a person’s skin or lips.

There is also provided an assembly that includes the dispenser in accordance with the invention in any of the embodiments described herein and a product in stick form supported by the product support.

Where a product in stick form is provided in the dispenser, the product in stick form (product stick) may have a base that is sized and shaped to fit within a product support e.g. cradle portion of the product carrier, or, where no product carrier is provided, for example, in a base of the outer sleeve. The product stick projects beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve, and the product stick carrier, where provided, in all operative states of the dispenser. Whether or not a product stick carrier is provided, the product stick does not project beyond the distal end of the product concealing sleeve, when the concealing sleeve is in the first, fully extended position. However, at least when the concealing sleeve is in the second, fully retracted position, the product stick extends beyond the distal end of the product concealing sleeve. The product stick extends in the above mentioned manner at least when the assembly is produced and prior to depletion of the product stick.

The product stick is fixed relative to the outer sleeve, and, where provided, product stick carrier.

The base of the product stick may be secured to the product support e.g. cradle portion of the carrier, or, in other embodiments, where a product stick carrier is not used, to the base of the outer sleeve, in any suitable manner. For example, the product stick may be bonded e.g. adhesively thereto, or secured thereto through mechanical interlocking, interference fit or magnetically.

There is also provided a package comprising the dispenser or assembly in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments described herein and further comprising an outer packaging arranged to house the dispenser. For example, the outer packaging may be a carton. The outer packaging is preferably of card-based or paper-based material. The outer packaging may be formed from a blank of sheet material e.g. a single piece blank. The outer packaging may be of the same cross sectional shape as the dispenser.

As mentioned above, in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the number of outer sleeve sidewalls, and product concealing sleeve sidewalls (and, where present, product stick carrier and/or cap sidewalls) may or may not be the same as each other. In some embodiments, there are four of each sidewall; however, the dispenser may have any number of sidewalls equal to or more than three. For example, from three to six sidewalls may be present. Regardlless of the number of sidewalls, each one of the product concealing sleeve, outer sleeve, (and, where present, product stick carrier and/or cap) may comprise at least one pair, and optionally at least two pairs of opposed sidewalls. Similarly, the dispenser may have any cross sectional shape. In some embodiments, the dispenser has a square cross section. However, in other embodiments, the dispenser may have a rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other cross sectional shape. Any or all of the components of the dispenser may have any such cross-section, and in embodiments, each one of the components of the base part of the dispenser i.e. the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve (and, where present, product stick carrier) may the same cross-sectional shape, such as square or rectangular. The cap may have the same cross-sectional shape.

Each one of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and, where present, end cap, are separately formed. Preferably the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and, where present, end cap and/or product stick carrier, are each formed from a respective blank of sheet material, and preferably from a single piece blank of sheet material.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the extent of the possible travel of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve may be selected as desired, depending e.g. upon a length of a product stick with which the dispenser is to be used. In some embodiments the product concealing sleeve is moveable relative to the outer sleeve over a distance corresponding to at least 5% or at least 40% or at least 50% of a length of the outer sleeve. Alternatively or additionally the product concealing sleeve may be moveable relative to the product stick carrier, where provided, over a distance corresponding to at least 5%, or at least 30% or at least 35% of a length of the product stick carrier. In some embodiments at least 5%, or at least 30% or at least 40% or at least 45% or at least 50% of a length of the product concealing sleeve may extend beyond a distal end of the outer sleeve when in the first, fully extended position. Alternatively or additionally, no more than 95% or no more than 85% or no more than 60% of a length of the product concealing sleeve may extend beyond the distal end of the outer sleeve when in a first, fully extended position. In general, the range of travel of the product concealing sleeve may be selected within a broad range of values, depending upon the desired properties and intended use of the dispenser. For example, ranges of movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve might range from over 5% to over 95% of a length of the outer sleeve.

The dimensions of the dispenser may be selected as desired to house a given type of product stick. For example, the dispenser may have a width of less than 30 cm, or less than 20 cm, such as less than 10 cm or less than 5 cm, or less than 3 cm, or less than 2 cm, and/or the dispenser may have a length with the product concealing sleeve in the first, fully extended position, of less than 50 cm, or less than 30 cm or less than 20 cm, or less than 15 cm. The width of the dispenser is a maximum dimension thereof in the transverse direction. The above ranges are particularly suitable for use with a personal care type product. However, depending upon the type and configuration of product stick, whether for personal care products or otherwise, different dimensional ranges may be appropriate.

The term “folded inwardly” means folded into the interior of the respective component, and “folded outwardly” means folded to the exterior of the respective component.

The term “bonded” as used herein means joined by adhesive, heat sealing or any suitable bonding method. In exemplary embodiments, adhesive is used. Any reference to bonding herein may refer to adhesive bonding.

The product concealing sleeve, outer sleeve, and, where provided, product stick carrier may each be formed from a paper-based or card-based material. Any such paper based or card based material may be used, for example cardboard or paperboard. Any additional component of the dispenser e.g. a cap, or where provided, outer housing, is preferably also formed of a paper-based or card-based material. Each component of the dispenser may be made from a card or paper based material.

Any reference to card-based or paper-based material herein may refer to a card-based or paper-based material such as cardboard or paperboard.

Each component (i.e., the carrier (where provided), concealing sleeve, outer sleeve, and (where provided) cap) are separately formed. Each component may be made from a blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material, which may aid assembly of the dispenser.

References to concealing a product stick refer to concealing the sides of the product stick. The distal end of the product stick may be visible through an open end of the base part of the dispenser when a cap is not provided over the base part of the dispenser. The product concealing sleeve may extend around the entire circumference of a product stick.

An assembly flap as referred to herein may secure the component e.g. cap, sleeve, carrier in a three-dimensional configuration. Thus the assembly flap maintains the component in a closed configuration.

The distal and proximal directions referred to herein correspond to directions toward the top and bottom of the dispenser respectively. That is, the distal end is the end in the same direction from which the product stick is configured to protrude in use. The proximal end is the end from which the product stick never protrudes.

While embodiments of the invention herein are illustrated by reference to the case in which the product concealing sleeve is of a closed sided configuration i.e. in which each of the sidewalls are connected to one another along foldlines, it is envisaged that the product concealing sleeve may be of an open sided configuration, such as where it defines a lesser number of sidewalls than the outer sleeve, or, in embodiments, product stick carrier. For example, where the outer sleeve has four side walls, the product concealing sleeve might have three or four sidewalls. Any reference to the “product concealing sleeve” may be replaced herein by a reference to a “product concealing part”. The part may be open or closed sided as described above. However, preferably the product concealing sleeve is closed sided, and preferably has the same number of sides as the outer sleeve.

The term “free edge” refers to an edge of a component e.g. flap or panel which is not connected to another component along a foldline. The component having the free edge may or may not be bonded down.

A fold line as referred to herein refers to any line about which components have been folded. The fold line may comprise a line of weakness, crease line and/or perforations. If not explicitly stated, and unless inconsistent therewith, any connection described herein may be about a fold line.

It will be appreciated that any of the further aspects of the invention may include any or all of the features of the invention described in relation to any other aspects and embodiments of the invention to the extent they are not mutually inconsistent therewith. In particular, it will be appreciated that the invention in the second and further aspects may comprise any or all of the features described in respect of the first aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

Various features of embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a product dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the product dispenser of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the product dispenser of the embodiment of FIG. 1 , with a cap removed and a product concealing sleeve in a fully extended position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the product dispenser of the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 , with the concealing sleeve in a fully retracted position and the product shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the product dispenser, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2 , and additionally showing a product located in the product stick carrier;

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the product dispenser, taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 and additionally showing a product located in the product stick carrier;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the product stick carrier erected;

FIG. 5B is a partially erected product stick carrier of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a blank for the product stick carrier of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the product concealing sleeve erected;

FIG. 6B is a partially erected product concealing sleeve of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a blank for the product concealing sleeve of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the outer sleeve erected;

FIG. 7B is a partially erected outer sleeve of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a blank for the outer sleeve of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the cap erected;

FIG. 8B is a partially erected cap of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8C is a blank for the cap of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an outer packaging which may be used in a package including the dispenser of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a dispenser 2 for a product 4 in stick form is shown.

The dispenser 2 comprises an outer sleeve 6, a product concealing sleeve 8, a product stick carrier 10 and may comprise a cap 12.

Each component of the dispenser 2, i.e. the outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8, product stick carrier 10, and, where provided cap 12, is made of paper-based or card-based material. In the illustrated embodiment, each component is constructed from a respective single piece blank of such material. However, it is not necessary that each need be a single piece blank, or, indeed, that any component need be folded from a blank at all.

An outer packaging 14 (shown in FIG. 9 ) may be provided to house the dispenser 2. The outer packaging 14 may be in the form of an outer carton made of cardboard or paperboard. Together, the outer packaging 14, dispenser 2 and product stick 4 then form a package.

For ease of illustration, the product 4 is shown only in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The dispenser 2 defines an axial direction X which extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the dispenser 2 between a proximal end 16 of the dispenser 2 and a distal end 18 of the dispenser 2. The terms distal and proximal may, in some arrangements, correspond to upper and lower, or top and bottom, when the dispenser 2 is arranged in a vertical position, such that, when assembled, the cap 12 is vertically above the outer sleeve 6. Transverse directions Y, Z may be defined perpendicular to the axial direction X. Transverse may correspond to radial.

The concealing sleeve 8 is dimensioned to fit snugly (i.e., so that it touches, but can still slide) within the outer sleeve 6 in the transverse directions Y, Z. The carrier 10 (product stick carrier) is dimensioned to fit snugly within the concealing sleeve 8. The carrier 10 is bonded to the outer sleeve 6. The bonding may be by adhesion, or any other suitable technique, such as heat sealing. The bonding of the carrier 10 to the outer sleeve 6 does not inhibit the ability for the product concealing sleeve 8 to slide. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the end panel (base flap) 40A of the product stick carrier 10 is bonded to the end wall panel (base panel) 100 of the outer sleeve 6.

The cap 12 is dimensioned such that the concealing sleeve 8 fits snugly within the cap 12 in the transverse directions Y, Z. A proximal end 20 of the cap 12 is configured to abut a distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 as shown in the arrangement of FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior surface 24 of the cap 12 is flush with the exterior surface 26 of the outer sleeve 6. The cap 12 has a length so as to fit over the concealing sleeve 8 and abut the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 when the concealing sleeve 8 is in a first, fully extended position relative to the product stick carrier 6 (and outer sleeve 10).

The concealing sleeve 8 may move (e.g., slide) between a first, fully extended position 11, as shown in FIG. 2 , and a second, fully retracted position 13 relative to the outer sleeve 6 and product carrier 10, as shown in FIG. 3 . The movement is a linear movement which occurs without relative rotation between the components. This movement may be driven by a force applied by a user to the concealing sleeve 8. The interaction of the concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve 6 which leads to the limits at the fully extended and fully retracted positions can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and is described in more detail further below.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the carrier 10, as assembled (or erected), as partially erected and as a blank 28 respectively.

The carrier 10 is a product stick carrier 10.

The carrier 10 is constructed from a single piece blank 28, as shown in FIG. 5C.

The carrier 10 comprises a product support 30 to hold the product 4 in stick form at a distal end 32 of the carrier 10 such that the product 4 extends beyond the distal end 32. The position of the product 4 is illustrated with respect to FIGS. 4A and B below.

The carrier 10 comprises a plurality of carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, for example, first, second, third and fourth carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, connected to one another along axial side edges (i.e. that extend axially) along foldlines 36A, 36B, 36C. The carrier 10 also comprises an assembly flap 38 e.g. glue flap 38 attached to an axial side edge (i.e., that extends axially) of the first carrier sidewall 34A along a foldline 36D. The assembly flap 38 is trapezoidal, which may provide for easier assembly. When erected, as shown in FIG. 5A, the assembly flap 38 is bonded to a surface, e.g., the exterior surface, of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D. The assembly flap 38 may be bonded to either the interior surface or the exterior surface of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D. If the assembly flap 38 is bonded to the exterior surface of the fourth carrier sidewall 34D then the presence of a visible cut edge at the distal edge of the assembly flap in the fully erected dispenser may be avoided.

The carrier 10 also includes a plurality of base flaps 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, each attached to a proximal end 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D of a respective one of the carrier walls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D along a foldline 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D. The base flaps 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D form a closed base 46 of the carrier 10. The proximal i.e. outer side of the lowermost base flap 40C is bonded to the outer sleeve 6 in the assembled dispenser 2. It will be appreciated that the shape and number of the base flaps may differ from that illustrated. At least one of the flaps 40A and C will typically close the open area at the base of the carrier, with the other flaps not needing to provide full area coverage.

The carrier 10 thereby forms a square cross section. The cross section is the transverse cross section. It will be appreciated that the carrier 10 may in other embodiments be of another multi-sided shape, such as a hexagon, or any other shape. The outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8, and cap 12, where provided, will then be of corresponding cross sectional shape.

The product support 30 of the product carrier 10 includes a cradle portion at the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 that forms a platform for supporting the product stick 4 in use. The cradle portion includes a first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C (or cradle flaps) attached along foldlines 52A, 52C, at a proximal end of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C, to the distal end 54A, 54C of a first pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34A, 34C, such as the first and third carrier sidewalls 54A, 54C. Each flap 50A, 50C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C includes a proximal portion 56A, 56C and a distal portion 58A, 58C. The proximal portion 56A, 56C extends inwardly from the distal end 54A, 54C of the carrier sidewall 34A, 34C with which it is associated along the interior surface thereof, being bonded to the interior surface of the carrier sidewall 34A, 34C. The distal portion 58A, 58C is connected along a foldline 60A, 60C to the proximal portion 56A, 56C of the flap 50A, 50C. The distal portion 58A, 58C of the flap 50A, 50C extends across the interior of the product stick carrier 10 toward the opposed carrier sidewall 34C, 34A. The distal portions 58A, 58C of the opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C are bonded to each other in a face-to-face (surface-to-surface) relationship to create a cradle for the product in stick form 4.

The product carrier 10 also includes a second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D attached to the distal end 54B, 54D of a second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D, such as the second and fourth carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D, wherein the second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D are folded inwardly from the distal ends 54B, 54D of the carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D and bonded to the interior surface of the second pair of opposed carrier sidewalls 34B, 34D.

The proximal portions 56A,56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C and the second pair of opposed flaps 50B, 50D reinforce the distal end of the product carrier 10, providing the region which will extend along the sides of a product stick in use with a multi- ply thickness. The sidewall 34D will be located between the flap 50D and the assembly flap 38 in the erected product carrier 10 in the embodiment illustrated. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the flap 50D is located between the sidewall 34D and the assembly flap 38 in the erected product carrier 10. However, it is envisaged that the flaps 50B, 50D could be omitted in other embodiments.

The product stick 4 is sized to fit snugly between the proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C and the second pair of opposed flaps 50B, 50D and is affixed to the distal portions 58A, 58C of the first pair of opposed flaps 50A, 50C which are bonded to one another and provide a cradle portion including a platform supporting the base 62 of the product 4. The proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first pair of opposed flaps 58A, 58C space the product supporting platform from the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10. By recessing the platform in this way, some support is additionally provided to the sides of the product 4 at the base 62 thereof.

In other words, the product carrier 10 includes a product support 30 that includes a platform (the distal portions 58A, 58C of the first opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C) for supporting the base 62 of the product 4 and also extending up the sides (the proximal portions 56A, 56C of the first opposed pair of flaps 50A, 50C, and the second opposed pair of flaps 50B, 50D) of the product carrier 10.

Alternatively or additionally, the product support for holding the product 4 may include any other suitable features for holding the product 4 at the distal end 32 of the carrier 10, for example, the product support may include one or more spikes enabled to secure the product 4 in place. The product support may be arranged to provide an interference fit with a product.

Other types of product support may be used to those illustrated. For example, a cradle portion constructed as described above need not necessarily be used. Furthermore, the assembly of the product stick carrier may be performed in a different manner to that described. The configuration and/or shape of any assembly flap or set of flaps for providing a closed base may differ from that described.

With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the concealing sleeve 8 (or product concealing sleeve 8) and the blank 64 thereof will be described below.

The concealing sleeve 8 includes first, second, third and fourth concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. However, other numbers of sidewalls may be used as previously discussed with respect to the product carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D. The concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D are attached along axial sides thereof along foldlines 68A, 68B, 68C. The concealing sleeve 8 includes an assembly flap 70, e.g., glue flap 70, attached to the first concealing sleeve sidewall 66A along a foldline 68D. The assembly flap 70 may be trapezoidal. In the erected concealing sleeve 8, the assembly flap 70 is bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the inner side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D. Alternatively, the assembly flap 70 may be bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the outer side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D. However, bonding the assembly flap 70 to the inner side of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D reduces the length of visible cut edge of the assembly flap 70 as compared to an arrangement with the assembly flap 70 bonded to the outer side.

In the embodiment illustrated, the concealing sleeve 8 also includes a plurality of end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D attached to the distal ends 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D of the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D and a side flap 72E attached to the axial side edge 75 of the fourth concealing sleeve sidewall 66D respectively along foldlines 76A, 76B, 76C, 76D, 76E. The end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D and side flap 72E are folded inwardly (i.e., towards the side of the blank 64 for the concealing sleeve 8 that faces inwards in the erected concealing sleeve 8) and are bonded to the inner face of the respective concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. In the embodiment illustrated the end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D attached to the distal ends 74A, 74B, 74C, 74D are at least as long as the length of the concealing sleeve 8 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the carrier 10 in the first, fully extended position 11 (as shown in FIG. 2 ). The end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D thereby make the concealing sleeve 8 multi-ply at a distal end 78 thereof (and over a distal portion thereof below the distal end 78) and acts to reinforce the sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D. Imparting the regions in which the end flaps 72A, 72B, 72C, 72D are present with an additional layer avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the sidewall.

As may be seen in FIG. 6B, the end flap 72D and side flap 72E have complimentary shapes, such that when the end flap 72D and side flap 72E are folded inwardly, they do not overlap. This may help avoid creating areas of the wall 66D which are excessively thick, supporting obtaining a snug fit between the concealing sleeve 8, product carrier 10 and outer sleeve 6. This may be particularly useful in the context of the relatively small dispenser 2 required for use with at least some types of product stick 4 e.g. lipsticks.

The assembly flap 70 is bonded to the interior of the side flap 72E (which in turn is on the interior of the sidewall 66D) in the erected product concealing sleeve 8. The assembly flap 70 underlies the inner surface of the side flap 72E. The shape of the side flap 72E corresponds to that of the assembly flap 70, again helping to avoid excessive thickness of the wall 66D of the product concealing sleeve 8 i.e. such that the assembly flap 70 does not overlap the end flap 72D.

As described above, the assembly flap 70 may, in alternative embodiments, be bonded to the exterior side of the sidewall 66D.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated is merely exemplary, and a lesser number of end flaps may be used. Furthermore, the details of the assembly flap and the shapes of the various flaps may differ from that shown.

The concealing sleeve 8 includes engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C at its proximal end 122, which each form part of a pair of inter-engaging flaps with locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6, described below. In the embodiment illustrated, the concealing sleeve 8 includes one fewer engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C than the number of concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D (this also applies to the other sidewalls, e.g., the product carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D). It will be appreciated that while three engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C are shown, a greater or lesser number of engagement flaps may be provided. For example, for a four sided concealing sleeve, one, two, three or four such locking flaps may be provided. In general, the concealing sleeve 8 includes at least one such locking flap 80A, 80B, 80C. Each inter-engaging flap provided will form a pair of inter-engaging flaps with a locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6. Thus, for each engagment flap 80A, 80B, 80C of the concealing sleeve, an inter-engaging locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D is provided associated with the outer sleeve 6.

There may be any number of pairs of inter-engaging flaps. For example, there may be one fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps than outer sleeve sidewalls. Alternatively, there may be more than one fewer pairs of inter-engaging flaps than outer sleeve sidewalls. In the context of a four sided outer sleeve, there may, for example, be 2 or 3 pairs of inter-engaging flaps provided. Including fewer pair of inter-engaging flaps than sidewalls may help facilitate sliding of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. However, the number of pairs of flaps may be selected depending upon various factors, such as the intended properties of the dispenser and the materials forming it etc.. For example, including the same number of pairs of inter-engaging flaps as sidewalls may help to support more secure inter-engagement between the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve being obtained,.

Each engagement flap 80A, 80B, 80C is connected to a proximal end 82A, 82B, 82C of a respective concealing sleeve sidewall 66A, 66B, 66C along a foldline 84A, 84B, 84C.

In the erected concealing sleeve 8, each engagement flap 80A, 80B, 80C is folded outwardly (i.e., in a direction away from the centre of the erected concealing sleeve 8) such that it is flat against the outer surface of the respective concealing sleeve sidewall 66A, 66B, 66C to which it is attached.

The concealing sleeve 8 in the erected dispenser is retractable from the first, extended position to the second, fully retracted position. The concealing sleeve 8 is freely movable between the first and second positions. The concealing sleeve 8 is mounted for reciprocating movement between the first and second positions between the carrier 10 and the outer sleeve 6.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a greater portion of the concealing sleeve 8 extends beyond a distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the first, extended position 11 than when in the second, fully retracted position 13. The concealing sleeve 8 includes a distal portion 86 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the second, fully retracted position (and also, in the first, extended position). The concealing sleeve 8 includes a proximal portion 88 that does not extend beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 when in the first, extended position 11 (and also in the second, fully retracted position 13). The concealing sleeve 8 includes an intermediate portion 90 that extends beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 in the first, extended position, but that does not extend beyond the distal end 32 of the product carrier 10 in the second, fully retracted position.

The end flaps 72A-D have a length such that they reinforce a portion (the distal and the intermediate portions 86, 90) of the product concealing sleeve 8 that extends beyond the distal end of the product carrier 10 when in the first, fully extended position 11.

With reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, an exemplary outer sleeve 6 and an exemplary blank 92 thereof will be described below.

In the embodiment illustrated the outer sleeve 6 includes first, second, third and fourth outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D. However, other numbers of sidewalls may be used as previously discussed with respect to the product carrier and concealing sleeve sidewalls 34A-D, 66A-D. The outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D are connected to one another along foldlines 96A, 96B, 96C along the side edges thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve 6 includes an assembly flap 98, e.g., glue flap 98 attached to the fourth outer sleeve sidewall 94D along a foldline 96D at a side edge of the fourth outer sleeve sidewall 94D. When the outer sleeve 6 is erected, the assembly flap 98 is bonded face-to-face to one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, being the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A as illustrated. The assembly flap 98 is bonded to the interior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A. Of course, the assembly flap 98 may in alternative arrangements be bonded to the exterior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A; however, the arrangement with the assembly flap 98 bonded to the interior of said outer sleeve sidewall 94A may avoid visible cut edges of the assembly flap 98 in the fully erected dispenser 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve 6 includes a base panel 100 to a proximal end 102 of the assembly flap 98 along a foldline 104. The outer sleeve 6 also includes a plurality of base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C attached to the base panel 100 along foldlines 108A, 108B, 108C at side edges of the base panel 100. The base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are configured such that, when the outer sleeve 6 is erected, the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are each in face-to-face contact with (and each flap 106A, 106B, 106C optionally bonded to) to a respective one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94D, 94C, 94B on interior surfaces of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94D, 94C, 94B. In some embodiments, some or all of the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are bonded to exterior surfaces of respective carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C. In other embodiments the base flaps 106A, 106B, 106C are not bonded to the carrier sidewalls 34A, 34B, 34C. The most appropriate arrangement will depend upon factors such as the packing line assembly, product stick carrier arrangement and security of closure required. The assembly flap 98 is bonded face-to-face to the interior of the outer sleeve sidewall 94A. As described above, in other arrangements the assembly flap may be bonded to the exterior of the outer sleeve sidewall 94A.

The base panel 100, in the erected dispenser 2 is bonded to the lowermost base flap 40 of the product carrier 10, such that the product carrier 10 is centred in the transverse directions Y, Z with respect to the outer sleeve 6.

The outer sleeve 6 includes locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, each being attached to the distal end 112B, 112C, 112D of a respective one of the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D along a foldline 114B, 114C, 114D. In the embodiment illustrated, the outer sleeve 6 includes three locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, for example one fewer than the number of outer sleeve sidewalls 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D. It will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D may be provided. For example, for a four sided outer sleeve 6, one, two, three or four such locking flaps may be provided. In general, the outer sleeve 6 includes at least one such locking flap. An additional flap 110A is provided attached to the distal end 112A of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A along a foldline 114A. The additional flap 110A reinforces the distal end 112A of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A, so it is also multi-ply, similarly to the distal ends 112b, 112C, 112D of the other outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

In the erected dispenser 2, the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D, together with the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C of the concealing sleeve 8, provide pairs of inter-engaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D configured to prevent further movement of the concealing sleeve 8 relative to the outer sleeve axially in a direction away from the proximal end and toward the distal end of the concealing sleeve 6.. This is illustrated in FIG. 4A.

While FIG. 2 does not show a product located in the product stick carrier, the product is shown in FIG. 4A.

The inter-engaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D cooperate with one another to prevent the travel of the concealing sleeve 8 as it is extended relative to the outer sleeve 6 and product carrier 10 further beyond the first, fully extended position and thereby retain the product concealing sleeve 8 between the product carrier 10 and the outer sleeve 6.

In the embodiment illustrated, the ends 81A, 118B, 81B, 118C, 81C, 118D of the interengaging flaps 80A, 110B, 80B, 110C, 80C, 110D engage one another to provide a locking effect.

The locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D are folded inwardly (i.e., towards the centre of the dispenser 2), and each locking flap 110B, 110C, 110D is bonded to the interior surface of the respective outer sleeve sidewall 94B, 94C, 94D to which it attached along a foldline 114B, 114C, 114D. This may improve engagement with the ends of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and provide a slimmer dispenser 2.

Alternatively, it is envisaged that in other embodiments the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D might slide underneath the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C between the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and the outer surface of the concealing sleeve 8 so the ends 118B, 118C, 118D of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D may engage with the foldlines 84A, 84B, 84C that connect the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C to the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C. In these embodiments, the locking flaps 110B, C, D would not be bonded to the interior surfaces of the respective outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

In other embodiments only one set of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C may be bonded to the interior surfaces of the respective outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D or the outer surface of the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C respectively.

The choice of which of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C ae bonded to the respective sidewall surfaces and which are not bonded will depend on a variety of factors, such as manufacturing and cost considerations and the rigidity requirements of the various components of the dispenser for various different uses. Bonding down the engagement flaps may, for example, facilitate manufacture where the product concealing sleeve is pushed into the distal end of the outer sleeve. It may then be less important to bond down the locking flaps, since the product concealing sleeve will be pushed past them in the direction of folding. However, the reverse may be the case. In general, one or both of the engagement flaps and locking flaps may be either bonded down or unbonded. Thus, combinations of bonded and unbonded flaps are envisaged.

In the erected dispenser 2, the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D are located between the product concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

The outer sleeve 6 also includes stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D attached to the proximal end 120 of the outer sleeve 6 along foldlines 117B, 117C, 117D. Each stopper flap 116B, 116C, 116D is folded about the respective foldline 117B, 117C, 117D into the interior of the outer sleeve 6 and is bonded to the interior surface thereof. In the embodiment illustrated, an edge 115B, 115C, 115B of each stopper flap 116B, 116C, 116D closer to the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6 is configured to engage with the base 122 of the concealing sleeve 8 along one of the foldlines 84A, 84B, 84C connecting the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C to the concealing sleeve sidewalls 66A, 66B, 66C. As with the engagement and locking flaps, it will be appreciated that the stopper flaps need not be bonded down.

In the erected dispenser 2, the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D are located between the product concealing sleeve 8 and the outer sleeve sidewalls 94B, 94C, 94D.

The stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D are thereby configured to restrict the axial movement of the concealing sleeve 8 relative to the outer sleeve 6 in the direction toward the proximal end 16 of the outer sleeve 6 so as to define the second, fully retracted position 13 of the concealing sleeve 8. This is shown in FIG. 4B. It will be appreciated that such stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D need not necessarily be used. For example, the proximal end 16 of the concealing sleeve 6 may simply engage a base of the dispenser 2 to define a fully retracted position. However, the use of stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D which cooperate with the base of the engagement flaps 80A, B, C may provide a space efficient arrangement to define the fully retracted position 13.

The extent of travel of the product concealing sleeve 8 between the fully retracted and fully extended positions 13, 11 may be controlled in the embodiments illustrated by selecting the extent of the inter-engaging flaps 80A, 80B, 80C, 110B, 110C, 110D, and, where provided, stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D, appropriately. The extent of the travel may correspond to a distance separating the opposed ends of the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D and locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D of the outer sleeve 6 minus the length of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C of the product concealing sleeve 8 in the illustrated embodiment.

While FIG. 3 only shows the product 4 located in the product stick carrier 10 with dotted lines, the product 4 is shown in FIG. 4B with solid lines and hatched shading.

It will be appreciated that FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic drawings that are not drawn to scale, but are included for ease of understanding the functioning of certain features of the dispenser 2. For example, the space between the outer sleeve 6 and the product carrier 10 has been exaggerated. Similarly, the thickness of the paperboard or cardboard of the components has been exaggerated. The product may have a greater length than illustrated, and a greater portion of the product may be exposed when the product concealing sleeve is retracted. The product concealing sleeve may have a greater length than illustrated. More accurate illustrations are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The outer sleeve 6 in the illustrated embodiment also includes a side flap 124 attached to an axial edge of the first outer sleeve sidewall 94A along a foldline 96E. The side flap 124 is optional. In the illustrated embodiment, the side flap 124 is folded back along foldline 96E and bonded to the interior of the sidewall 94A. In the erected outer sleeve 6, the side flap 124 is sandwiched between the sidewall 94A and the assembly flap 98. The side flap 124 avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the sidewall 94A and acts to reinforce the sidewall 94A, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, an exemplary cap 12 and an exemplary blank 126 thereof will be described below.

As suggested above, it is envisaged that the dispenser 2, though described herein as comprising a cap 12, may in some embodiments not include a cap 12.

The cap 12 is replaceably removable from the base part (i.e., the outer sleeve 6, product concealing sleeve 8 and product carrier 10) of the dispenser 2.

For some products in stick form 4, a cap 12 may be beneficial, for example, by keeping the end of the product 4 from being exposed to air and thereby drying out.

In the embodiment illustrated, the cap 12 includes first, second, third and fourth cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D. However, as described above for the components of the base part, the cap 12 may include any number of sidewalls. The cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D are attached along axial sides thereof along foldlines 130A, 130B, 130C.

The cap 12 includes an assembly flap 132, e.g., a glue flap 132 attached to the fourth cap sidewall 128D along a foldline 130D at a side edge of the fourth cap sidewall 128D. When the cap 12 is erected, the assembly flap 128 may be bonded face-to-face to one of the cap sidewalls 128A, for example, the first cap sidewall 128A. The assembly flap 132 may be bonded to the interior side of said cap sidewall 128A.

The cap includes a lid panel 134 attached to the assembly flap 132 attached to a distal end 136 of the assembly flap 132 along a foldline 138. The cap 12 also includes a plurality of lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C attached to the lid panel 134 along foldlines 142A, 142B, 142C at side edges of the lid panel 134. The lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C are configured, such that when the cap 12 is erected, the lid flaps 140A, 140B, 140C are bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to each of the cap sidewalls 128D, 128C, 128B on interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls 128D, 128C, 128B. The assembly flap 132 is bonded face-to-face (surface-to-surface) to the cap sidewall 128A. The assembly flap 132 may be bonded to the interior surface of the cap sidewall 128A to avoid visible cut edges on the fully erected dispenser 2; however, in alternative arrangements it is feasible that the assembly flap 138 could be bonded to the exterior surface of the cap sidewall 128A.

The cap 12 includes a plurality of distal end flaps 144A, 144B, 144C, 144D, each attached to the distal end 146A, 146B, 146C, 146D of a respective one of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D along a respective foldline 148A, 148B, 148C, 148D. The cap 12 also includes a plurality of proximal end flaps 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D, each attached to the proximal end 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D of a respective one of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D along a respective foldline 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D. In the erected cap 12, the proximal and distal end flaps 144A-D, 150A-D are folded inwardly (i.e., toward the centre of the cap 12) and bonded to the interior surfaces of the cap sidewalls 128A, 128B, 128C, 128D. The presence of the proximal and distal end flaps 144A-D, 150A-D avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the cap sidewalls 128A-D and acts to reinforce the cap sidewalls 128A-D, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

The cap 12 also includes a side flap 156 attached to a side edge of the first cap sidewall 128A along a foldline 130E. The side flap 156, in the erected cap 12 is folded inwardly (i.e., toward the centre of the cap 12) and bonded to the interior surface of the first cap sidewall 128A. The side flap 156 avoids the presence of a visible cut edge at the edge of the first cap sidewall 128A and acts to reinforce the first cap sidewall 128A, imparting the region in which it is present with an additional layer.

It will be seen that the shapes of end flaps 144A, 150A and side flap 156 are complimentary in the illustrated embodiment to avoid creating excessive thickness in the sidewall 128A of the cap 12 to which they are bonded.

The form of the cap 12 shown in FIGS. 8A-C is merely exemplary, and other types of cap may be used.

The external surfaces of the outer sleeve 6 and the cap 12 are flush in the arrangement described. The cap 12 is sized to fit over the product concealing sleeve 8 when the sleeve 8 is in the fully extended position 11, with the proximal end 20 of the cap 12 abutting the distal end 22 of the outer sleeve 6.

The dispenser 2 is used in the following manner. Firstly, the dispenser is removed from housing 14, in embodiments where housing 14 is present. Then the cap 12 is removed from the dispenser 2. The concealing sleeve 8 is then manually retracted to reveal the product 4. The concealing sleeve 8 is, in some embodiments, prevented from traveling more further than the second, fully retracted position 13 (as shown in FIG. 3 ) by the engagement of the base of the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C and the stopper flaps 116B, 116C, 116D. The product may then be used, for example by being applied to a surface (e.g., lips, or face). Then the concealing sleeve 8 is manually slid to the first, fully extended position 11 (as shown in FIG. 2 ), thereby concealing the product 4. The concealing sleeve 8 is prevented from further travel in an axial direction by the engagement of the locking flaps 110B, 110C, 110D and the engagement flaps 80A, 80B, 80C.

The dimensions of the dispenser 2 may be selected as desired. For example, in one exemplary embodiment of a lipstick dispenser, the dispenser 2 may be less than 15 cm long with the product concealing sleeve 8 in the fully extended position, and less than 3 cm wide.

These dimensions are only exemplary, and similar dimensions and sizes may be used for the dispenser 2 and the components thereof.

In exemplary embodiments, the product stick carrier 10 may have a length greater than that of both the outer sleeve 6 and the product concealing sleeve 8. The outer sleeve 6 and product concealing sleeve 8 may be of similar lengths.

The range of travel of the product concealing sleeve 8 between the first, fully extended, position and the second, fully retracted, position may vary widely depending upon the desired properties of the dispenser 2, such as the desired strength and stability properties thereof, the nature and configuration of product stick 4 with which it is to be used etc. A greater range of travel may be useful in providing greater product exposure and ease of use.

The embodiment illustrated is merely exemplary of one form of a dispenser 2 including a product concealing sleeve 8, product stick carrier 10 and outer sleeve 6 cooperating in the manner of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the dispenser 2, and the components thereof, may differ in construction from the exemplary embodiment shown. For example, while the components are each shown as being folded from a single piece blank of material, this need not be the case. While each component is shown as being four sided in the illustrated embodiment, other polygonal shapes in cross section having a greater or lesser number of sides, may be envisaged. These include, for example, a six sided shape. The sides of the shape defined in cross section need not be of equal length. For example, a rectangular rather than square cross section might be used.

While the product concealing sleeve has been shown as extending around the full circumference of the product stick, this need not be the case.

It will be appreciated that the number of sidewalls of each component of the dispenser may differ from the illustrated embodiment and from each other. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the product concealing sleeve may have fewer sidewalls than the outer sleeve, such as one less sidewall than the outer sleeve. In this regard, where the outer sleeve has four sidewalls, the product concealing sleeve might, in exemplary embodiments, have 3 or 4 sidewalls.

Each component may, for example, have 3, 4, 5, or 6 sidewalls in some exemplary embodiments.

The product stick carrier could be of a different form to the product stick carrier illustrated. The product stick carrier could take the form of anything that can support the product in stick form, for example at the base thereof. For example, the product stick carrier could be a planar member, or any other element confined to the base of the dispenser. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the dispenser might not comprise a product stick carrier at all with the product in stick form instead being secured directly to the base of the outer sleeve. The other components of the dispenser may then be as described herein. The outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve will have inter-engaging flaps as described in relation to the illustrated embodiment.

While, in the illustrated embodiments, the components include various end flaps (which do not form part of any of the pairs of inter-engaging flaps contributing to the cooperation between the various components) and side flaps which may avoid the presence of a cut edge and can increase strength of the components, such additional end flaps and side flaps are only optional. For example, where the visibility of cut edges is of less concern, and where other factors e.g. quantity of material used, is of greater concern, some or all of the flaps may be omitted. 

1. A dispenser for a product in stick form comprising: a product stick carrier comprising a product stick support for supporting a product stick in use; an outer sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier, wherein the product stick carrier is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and a product concealing sleeve disposed inwardly of the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve for concealing a product stick supported by the product stick support in use in order to expose the product stick; wherein the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position; and wherein the outer sleeve, product concealing sleeve and product stick carrier are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the product stick carrier has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal portion comprising the product stick support.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the product concealing sleeve is disposed outwardly of the product stick carrier between the product stick carrier and the outer sleeve.
 4. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier comprises a proximal end and a distal end connected by one or more sidewalls.
 5. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product stick carrier comprises a plurality of sidewalls, and the product stick support comprises a cradle portion, wherein the cradle portion comprises: a first opposed pair of flaps, each one of the opposed flaps being attached, at a proximal end of the flap, to a distal end of a respective one of a first pair of opposed sidewalls of the product stick carrier along a foldline; wherein each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps includes a proximal portion extending from the distal end of the product stick carrier sidewall with which it is associated along the interior surface thereof toward the proximal end of the product stick carrier sidewall, the proximal portion of the flap optionally being bonded to the interior surface of the product stick carrier sidewall; each flap of the first opposed pair of flaps further comprising a distal portion connected along a foldline to the proximal portion of the flap, the distal portion of the flap extending across the interior of the product stick carrier from the product stick carrier sidewall to which the flap is attached along a foldline toward the opposed carrier sidewall; wherein the distal portions of the opposed pair of flaps are bonded to each other in a surface-to-surface relationship to create a support for the product in stick form.
 6. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier, each comprise three or more sidewalls, such as four sidewalls.
 7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve each have the same number of sidewalls; optionally wherein each of the product stick carrier, product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve has a square or rectangular cross section.
 8. The dispenser as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve, and optionally the product stick carrier, are each formed from a respective blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material.
 9. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier is bonded to a base of the outer sleeve to fix the product stick carrier relative to the outer sleeve.
 10. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the product stick carrier has a length of at least 50% of a length of the outer sleeve, optionally of at least 75% of the length of the outer sleeve, and optionally greater than a length of the outer sleeve.
 11. An assembly comprising a dispenser for a product in stick form and a product in stick form located therein; wherein the dispenser comprises; an outer sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick, wherein the product stick is fixed relative to the outer sleeve; and a product concealing sleeve disposed outwardly of the product stick between the product stick and the outer sleeve, the product concealing sleeve being retractable from a first, fully extended position relative to the outer sleeve for concealing the product stick in use in order to expose the product stick; wherein the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise inter-engaging flaps which cooperate with one another to prevent advancement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a set point so as to define the first, fully extended position; and wherein the outer sleeve and product concealing sleeve are each formed of a paper-based or card-based material.
 12. The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve each comprise three or more sidewalls, such as four sidewalls.
 13. The assembly of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the product concealing sleeve has the same number of sidewalls as the outer sleeve; optionally wherein each of the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve has a square or rectangular cross section.
 14. The assembly as recited in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the product concealing sleeve and outer sleeve are each formed from a respective blank of sheet material, optionally a single piece blank of sheet material.
 15. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the inter-engaging flaps of the product concealing sleeve and the outer sleeve comprise at least one pair of inter-engaging flaps, each pair of inter-engaging flaps comprising a locking flap at the distal end of the outer sleeve and an engagement flap at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve, wherein: the locking flap is folded inwardly at the distal end of the outer sleeve so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve; and the engagement flap is folded outwardly at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve so as to extend along the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve toward the distal end of the concealing sleeve.
 16. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein, in each pair of inter-engaging flaps, an end edge of the locking flap is configured to engage an end edge of the engagement flap to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end of the outer sleeve to define the first, fully extended position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.
 17. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the engagement flap is bonded to the exterior surface of the product concealing sleeve and/or wherein the locking flap is bonded to the interior surface of the outer sleeve.
 18. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the outer sleeve comprises one or more stopper flaps at the proximal end of the outer sleeve, each stopper flap being folded inwardly so as to extend along the interior surface of the outer sleeve from the proximal end of the outer sleeve toward the distal end of the outer sleeve, wherein each stopper flap is configured to engage a proximal end of the product concealing sleeve to prevent further movement of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve beyond a second set point in a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end of the outer sleeve so as to define a second, fully retracted position of the product concealing sleeve relative to the outer sleeve.
 19. The dispenser or assembly as recited in claim 18 as dependent directly or indirectly upon claim 15, wherein each engagement flap is connected along a foldline to a proximal end of a sidewall of the product concealing sleeve, and wherein the stopper flap engages the foldline at the proximal end of the product concealing sleeve connecting a respective one of said one or more engagement flaps to the sidewall.
 20. The dispenser or assembly as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the product stick carrier, outer sleeve and, where provided, product concealing sleeve together define a base part of the dispenser, wherein the dispenser further comprises a removable cap for closing an open end of the base part.
 21. The dispenser or assembly of claim 20, wherein a proximal end of the removable cap is configured to abut a distal end of the outer sleeve when located over the base part with the product concealing sleeve is in the first, fully extended position.
 22. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, wherein: the dispenser has a width of less than 30 cm, or less than 20 cm, such as less than 10 cm or less than 5 cm, or less than 3 cm, or less than 2 cm, and/or the dispenser has a length with the product concealing sleeve in the first, fully extended position, of less than 50 cm, or less than 30 cm or less than 20 cm, or less than 15 cm.
 23. An assembly comprising the dispenser of any one of claims 1-10, or any one of claims 15 to 22 as dependent directly or indirectly on any one of claims 1-10, further comprising a product in stick form supported by the product support.
 24. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising an outer packaging arranged to house the dispenser.
 25. The dispenser or assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the product stick is a stick of personal care product, such as lipstick. 